At 17, Sophia Park has passed the bar exam and will soon begin working as a prosecutor. Would you want to embark on an accelerated path to your future job?
Word of the Day: equable
This word has appeared in two articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
Thank you to Our 2024 Community!
Thank you to our guest bloggers and podcast interviewees! We’ve learned so much from your different perspectives and experiences and we’re proud to be able to share that with our readers. As Learning Scientists we, of course, love to talk about learning, but we also love getting to learn ourselves! (Have something interesting to share about learning? See here for our guidelines and form for guest blogs)
Thank you to our workshop and talk sponsors and attendees! Thank you for inviting us into your space and giving us the opportunity to share evidence-based practices with others. We appreciate your invitation, generosity as hosts, and the excellent conversations and questions from attendees.
Thank YOU, our readers! Your interest in, and passion for, learning is what keeps this community going and why the Learning Scientists exists. Despite the many challenges that life throws at us, we are truly grateful for your curiosity, kind words, and commitment to learning.
Balancing Act: How Angela Mastered the iMBA as a Working Mom
Leveraging Flexibility and Innovation to Achieve Educational Goals
Angela Huwe’s journey through the online Master of Business Administration (iMBA) program from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a testament to the power of the program’s flexibility. As a working mom, Angela chose the iMBA program to enhance her business acumen and strengthen her problem solving skills to actively contribute to executive level discussions, a necessity as she transitioned into a new revenue strategy position.
Angela’s experience in the program has been rich in many ways. She highlights the flexibility of the program as a crucial factor that she used to juggle her demanding job and family responsibilities. “The flexibility that it provides is honestly a little bit unprecedented in other programs,” she notes. She was able to complete the open content courses ahead of the live classes, which gave her the ability to pace her coursework around her schedule. She deemed this as her key strategy to succeeding in the program. In addition, there were other Coursera features including interactive video transcription and in-course note taking that enhanced the online learning experience. This adaptability was vital for her to manage her studies and professional life.
Through the program, Angela could maintain balance in her life while achieving substantial professional growth. She particularly appreciated the data analytics courses, from which she gained skills in data visualization and financial analysis. As data is ingrained in her daily work, she found the application of the courses to be most valuable as she was able to immediately use what she learned in her job. With her strategic leadership courses, she also enhanced her understanding and execution of her leadership style.
Networking was another significant benefit for Angela. In the program, she facilitated connections both in-person and online, expanding her professional network and even fostering friendships. “It is possible to build true friendships in an online program,” Angela reflects. Moreover, on an immersion trip to Singapore and Malaysia, she enjoyed hands-on learning as she collaborated with other students to pitch solutions to a real company facing a key business challenge.
As Angela prepares to graduate in December 2024, she takes with her not just an MBA degree, but a suite of practical skills and new networks. She advises prospective students, “Take the leap. I think that if you are working or if you have life obligations, an online program like the iMBA gives you the flexibility you need while also providing you with the opportunities to network with students around the world.”
Through her story, Angela Huwe illustrates that with the right program, it is entirely possible to advance one’s career while effectively managing personal responsibilities. Her journey is an inspiring example for current and prospective students of the iMBA program, showcasing the achievable balance between work, education, and family.
Learn more about the iMBA program with Gies College of Business.
Travel Day
Tell us a story, real or made up, that is inspired by this image.
Word of the Day: eminent domain
This term has appeared in 15 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
Students and Teachers Share Advice for Having Conversations Across Divides
Over a thousand students and dozens of educators offered ideas for how to have meaningful discussions about difficult topics. Here are some practical ideas — for use in or out of school.
Tips for Helping Your Child with Self-Harm Linked to Sensory Issues
Written by Liau Alex
When kids with autism face sensory challenges, self-injurious behavior becomes a serious concern. Imagine behaviors like head-banging or self-biting—actions causing both emotional distress and physical harm. It’s crucial to tackle this issue head-on, exploring effective solutions.
Self-harm becomes a way of expressing inner turmoil, especially when mixed with tricky sensory issues. Sadly, usual approaches often fall short in understanding SIB linked to sensory challenges. This leaves parents and caregivers on a challenging journey seeking effective strategies.
Dealing with SIB connected to sensory issues needs more than a quick fix—it demands a thoughtful plan. This article aims to share practical tips, emphasizing why it’s crucial to actively address these challenges.
Finding What Makes Your Child Uncomfortable
Discovering the things that bother your child is the first step. It’s like uncovering hidden discomforts that might be causing self-harm. Work together with your child to figure out these triggers, making the process a collaborative effort.
Giving Different Sensory Experiences
To counter self-harm, offer alternative sensory experiences. Try out various things that your child can touch, hear, or see to provide comfort. Make their environment more comfortable by introducing tools and adjustments that cater to their sensory needs.
Helping Your Child Manage Emotions
Empower your child to handle their emotions by introducing coping strategies. Simple breathing exercises can be a calming journey for them. Encourage creative activities as outlets for emotional expression, building a toolbox of coping mechanisms.
Building a Strong Support System
In addressing self-harm, a robust support system is vital. Family and friends become the backbone of a loving circle, providing understanding and encouragement. Additionally, seek help from professionals who can offer tailored solutions, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
Assisting your child with self-harm linked to sensory issues involves understanding, collaboration, and support. By identifying triggers together, providing alternative stimulation, teaching coping strategies, and fostering a strong support network, you create a foundation for your child to navigate their sensory world with resilience and care.
If you’re dealing with your child hurting themselves and need expert support, Nurture Pods is here for you. We specialize in working with kids who have special needs. Our goal is straightforward – we create personalized plans to help each child in the best way possible.
What Makes Nurture Pods Special: A Complete Approach
Nurture Pods is different because we use proven methods that really work. Our focus is on making sure each plan is made just for your child. We’re committed to providing thorough, effective help. We know every child is unique, and our aim is to help them grow and develop as much as possible.
Nurture Pods goals:
- Personal plans: We believe in making plans that are just right for your child’s specific needs.
- Proven methods: Our methods are based on what has been proven to work, ensuring our help is effective.
- Whole development: Nurture Pods wants to help kids develop in every way – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- Comprehensive assistance: We offer a variety of support services because we know helping kids needs a full and varied approach.
On your journey to support your child, Nurture Pods is here with expertise and care to navigate the challenges of self-injurious behaviors.
About The Author
Liau Alex obtained his degree in Psychology from the National University of Singapore and specialises in childhood disorders, specifically learning and behavioural difficulties. He has many years of experience working with children exhibiting a wide array of learning and behaviour challenges, many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
As an author, Alex has two titles published by Future Horizons Inc. (USA), the world leader in autism and sensory resources. Schools worldwide have used his books for inclusive education and parent training for children with special needs. Titles under his name include School Shadow Guidelines (2015) and A Parent’s Guide to Early Intervention (2021).
Alex received training on early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) in Australia and subsequently went to the USA, where he received relationship development intervention (RDI) training under Dr Steven Gutstein and Dr Rachel Sheely. He has presented in Australia, Houston, and Singapore and has also been invited to participate in media interviews. Furthermore, he has worked with clients from across the globe, including China, Taiwan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Do You Have Any Special or Unusual Holiday Traditions?
Times readers shared their fun, unique and eccentric holiday rituals — like singing to the turkey with a sibling while it roasts outside. What are yours?
‘Glicked’
Can “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” recapture the magic of “Barbenheimer”?
